Which place is cheaper, Hong Kong or Tianjin?
These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations.
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Should you visit Tianjin or Hong Kong?
Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?
Should I visit Tianjin or Hong Kong? This is a common question asked by many travelers. By figuring out which city has activities that align with your interests along with knowing which is more affordable, you'll understand where you can get more bang for your buck. So, let's dive into the details and the data, which all comes from actual travelers.
Where Should I go: Tianjin or Hong Kong?
Tianjin
Tianjin is a large metropolis on the north east coast of China. This ancient city, which dates back to prehistoric times, is one of five National Central Cities of China and is rich in culture and history. Tianjin is most famous for its beautiful walking streets and history of European concession territories.
Tianjin experiences hot and humid summers, with temperatures reaching 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Winters are cool and dry with temperatures around 15° (F). Spring and Autumn tend to be the best times to visit as weather is a little more mild, although Spring has a tendency to be a little rainy.
Hong Kong
In Hong Kong you will find a predominantly Cantonese population that has long been influenced by British occupation. Most residents speak English and you can see the obvious effects of years of capitalism. Shopping malls are everywhere and most are thriving. Along the waterfront every night the buildings light up in a dramatic and festive light show that highlights such businesses as Sony and Canon, which are fixtures in the city. The city is a major financial hub, and is very international in nature. The city itself is very densely packed and there are narrow high rises that look vulnerable due to their height. There are two main areas to the city, Hong Kong Island and Kowloon. Hong Kong Island is the location of the original British settlement. Today it is where you will find the highest skyscrapers, the most modern buildings, and the most popular shopping areas. Kowloon is located on a peninsula that is to the north of Hong Kong Island. The tip of the peninsula is a popular destination for backpackers as it has many of the city's hostels. This area is referred to as Tsim Sha Tsui. There are also a few high end hotels in the area. It is possible to head outside of the city so that you can escape into some rural regions where you can take a break from the crowds.
For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Sightseeing Tours in China, and The Best Cultural Tours in China.
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Average Daily Cost Per person, per dayTianjin $76Hong Kong $159
The average daily cost (per person) in Tianjin is $76, while the average daily cost in Hong Kong is $159. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Tianjin and Hong Kong in more detail.
Accommodation
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Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one personTianjin $34Hong Kong $75
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Accommodation Typical double-occupancy roomTianjin $68Hong Kong $150
Compare Hotels in Tianjin and Hong Kong
Looking for a hotel in Tianjin or Hong Kong? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.
Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.
Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Hong Kong Hotel Prices.
Local Transportation
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Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.Tianjin $37Hong Kong $8.70
Hired Cars and Shuttles in Tianjin
Also for Tianjin, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:
- [Airport Transfer] Tianjin Airport ⇔ Tianjin City Transfer ☆ High reputation for service <Charter charter>: $13
- Tianjin Railway Station Private Transfer to Cruise Port: $32
- Tianjin Private Transfer to Gubei Water Town and Simatai Great Wall: $196
- Tianjin Private Round-Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $112
- Tianjin Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Pass and Eastern Qing Tombs: $132
- Tianjin Port Private transfers to Tianjin train station: $50
- Tianjin Port Private Round Trip Transfer to Huangyaguan Great Wall: $192
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Hotel in Beijing Downtown Private Transfer: $105
- Tianjin Cruise Port to Beijing Airport/City Private Transfer: $119
- Tianjin Cruise Port Private Transfer to Binhai Railway Station: $32
- Tianjin Binhai International Airport Private Arrival Transfer to City Area : $29
- Tianjin Binhai Airport(TSN) to Arrival Private Transfer: $25
Typical Local Transportation Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few samples from actual travelers for transportation costs in Hong Kong:
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MTR (for 2)$2.81
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Local Bus$2.81
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Ferry Ticket$0.26
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Hong Kong Airport Express Train Ticket$14
Is it cheaper to fly into Tianjin or Hong Kong?
Prices for flights to both Hong Kong and Tianjin change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.
Food
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Food Meals for one dayTianjin $20Hong Kong $33
Typical Food Prices in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are some examples of average food and meal prices for travelers:
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Dinner for 2$11
Entertainment
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Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.Tianjin $10Hong Kong $95
Tours and Activities in Tianjin
Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Tianjin.
- 1 Day Tianjin City Essence Tour from Tianjin Port: $235
- 2 Days Beijing Group Tour from Tianjin Port without Shop Stops: $276
- 4-Hour Private Tianjin Walking Tour with Dim Sum: $168
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Highlight Tour with Peking Duck Experience: $240
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion Private Shopping Tour: $120
- 4-Hour Tianjin Shore Excursion to Shijia Mansion with Bullet Train Experience: $210
- 5-Hour Private Tianjin Shopping Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $179
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Beijing Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Great Wall: $239
- Bullet Train Private Tour: Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City & Temple of Heaven: $219
- From Tianjin Xingang Port: Private 2-Day Beijing Tour: $550
- Huangyaguan Great Wall Layover Tour from Tianjin Cruise Port: $265
- Mutianyu Great Wall Trip with English Speaking Driver from Tianjin Cruise Port: $261
Typical Entertainment Prices in Hong Kong
Below are a few sample prices from actual travelers for Hong Kong's activities, tours, and tickets:
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Peak Tram$7.66
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Madame Tussauds Hong Kong$24
Tours and Activities in Hong Kong
For Hong Kong, here are a few prices for actual activities, tours, and tickets provided by various companies:
- Ma On Shan Climbing Adventure: $115
- Plover Cove Bicycling and Hiking Adventure: $110
Alcohol
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Alcohol Drinks for one dayTianjin $11Hong Kong $21
When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Tianjin and Hong Kong, we can see that Hong Kong is more expensive. And not only is Tianjin much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Tianjin would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Tianjin and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Hong Kong would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Hong Kong than you might in Tianjin.
If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Tianjin Expensive? and Is Hong Kong Expensive?.
Which is Bigger, Tianjin or Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has a larger population, and is about 86% larger than the population of Tianjin. When comparing the sizes of Tianjin and Hong Kong, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.